Arrest of influential imam mohamad ishaq kondo sparks unrest in Ouagadougou
The arrest of influential Sunni cleric Mohamad Ishaq Kondo in Ouagadougou has sent shockwaves through Burkina Faso. The prominent religious leader was detained Tuesday, May 26, by plainclothes security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. His arrest came just two days after he publicly criticized a newly adopted religious freedoms bill, triggering immediate controversy.
According to a statement issued by the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina Faso (FAIB), Kondo was taken into custody “under circumstances that remain officially unexplained.” The organization confirmed it has filed urgent appeals with authorities to obtain clarity on his situation and secure his release.
Violent arrest amid religious tensions
A close associate who witnessed the operation reported that plainclothes police and masked military personnel carried out the arrest around 2:00 PM local time—just one day before Eid al-Adha. The operation sparked immediate resistance from nearby worshippers, escalating into tense confrontations.
“The situation turned violent as believers attempted to intervene, resulting in several injuries among the faithful,” recounted the associate. Kondo had recently gained widespread attention after a widely circulated recording of his teachings went viral, where he questioned the government’s religious freedoms law and urged authorities to “reflect on the consequences of their actions.”
In the recording, Kondo was quoted warning: “Let everyone beware of attempting to ban public prayers. Whether you are a leader or someone in power, you neither possess the strength nor the divine authority to do so.”
Protests erupt in capital city
Public outrage over the arrest manifested quickly. Hours after Kondo’s detention, hundreds of supporters gathered in Ouagadougou demanding his immediate release. Authorities responded by dispersing the crowd using tear gas, according to eyewitness accounts.
In a statement, the FAIB called on the Muslim community to remain calm and avoid further escalation. Meanwhile, national leaders remained silent on the matter, even as the country celebrated Eid al-Adha.
Following the holiday prayers, Burkina Faso’s head of state addressed the nation via social media. While praising security forces for their ongoing fight against jihadist insurgencies, he issued a stern warning to any who might threaten national stability or undermine public order.
“Those who choose to act against our nation must be prepared to face the full weight of the law and all resulting consequences,” the president declared. No official statement regarding Kondo’s detention has been released.
New religious law fuels debate
The controversial bill that Kondo criticized was approved by the Council of Ministers on March 19 and aims to regulate religious practices in Burkina Faso. Authorities describe it as a necessary measure to curb online extremism, hate speech, and religious radicalization.
Mariem Sanogo, Director General of Religious, Customary, and Traditional Affairs, emphasized that the legislation is not new but has been updated to address rising threats of violent extremism and digital hate campaigns.
The law notably prohibits the construction of places of worship in public institutions, with exceptions for health facilities, prisons, and military barracks. Authorities clarified that public prayer remains permitted as long as it respects the beliefs of others and maintains public order.
Since the military takeover in 2022 led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso has seen a tightening of restrictions on dissent, with critics citing the government’s security-focused agenda as justification for repressive measures.
